How to Repair a Screen Door That Does Not Shut All the Way

Doors that do not close properly let in bugs and can catch small fingers in the gap between the frame and door.

Screen doors fail to close properly when their hinges become imbalanced as a result of your home shifting or if the door frame has swelled or become loose. Swelling paint also can be a factor. The longer you go without correcting the situation, the greater the potential for permanent damage to the door or frame. For older homes where the door is severely out of square, consult a professional about jacking up the house from underneath. For slightly out-of-square doors, follow a few carpenter's tricks and complete the repairs yourself.

1

Tighten the screws in the metal frame on the hinge side of the door. Remove stripped screws and them set aside. Coat several toothpicks in carpenter's glue and insert them into the screw hole. Insert enough toothpicks to tightly fill the hole. Allow the glue to cure for 24 hours.

2

Trim off the excess toothpicks, using a utility knife. Predrill a new screw hole into the toothpicks. Reinsert the screw and tighten it.

3

Open the door to a 90-degree angle from the outside. Push the door up, then pull it downward. Look to see if the framing is loose.

4

Predrill 3/16-inch holes through the metal door frame to secure it. Start at the top of the door and work your way downward, one loose area at a time. Change the bit on the drill to a 3/32-inch bit. Insert the bit through the hole in the metal and drill into the wood framing. Once drilled, change the bit to a screwdriver bit and screw in a No. 8, 1-inch screw. Repeat the process for any loose areas on the metal frame.

5

Test the door to see if it closes properly. Notice where the door hits the frame if it still does not shut all the way. Mark the frame where the door touches it. If the metal plate on the bottom of the door is preventing it from closing, remove the plate and mark the door where it touches the frame.

6

Prop the door open to plane the door frame. If you need to plane the bottom of the door, remove it from the hinges and lay it on a level work surface.

7

Slide a plane over the door or frame, starting at your mark and moving downward. For a door sticking at the top, start at the mark and plane upward. For the bottom of the door, start at the mark and plane toward the latch side of the door. Make two passes over the area and test the door again. If it still will not close, repeat the planing process. Shave off as little wood as possible.

8

Apply two coats of paint or stain onto the planed area of the door frame or door. Allow it to dry for 24 hours. Reinstall the metal plate on the bottom of the door, predrilling new holes as needed. Reinstall the door if you removed it from the hinges. Test the door.